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Bill Maher’s Critique: The Portrayal of Masculinity in Media
On Friday, during the 700th episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host utilized his “New Rules” segment to deliver a passionate monologue regarding the apparent decline of masculinity in contemporary media and across American culture.
Maher, recognized for his contrarian viewpoints, asserted that fathers have increasingly become “punching bags” within the entertainment industry. He attributed this to film and television, which he believes have contributed to a weakening of traditional fatherhood and male identity.
Maher’s Concerns About the Depiction of Fathers
“Let’s make the Father’s Day we just observed the last one that occurs in a society where dads have devolved into mere punching bags, essentially the only demographic still portrayed by television, commercials, and movies as ignorant, inept imbeciles—simply another child for mom to manage,” Maher stated.
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Examples in Entertainment: From Comedy to Crisis?
He identified the 1987 film Three Men and a Baby as a pivotal moment, further citing shows like Married with Children, The Simpsons, Modern Family, Malcolm in the Middle, and the Apple TV+ series Your Friends and Neighbors. Maher believes these examples have collectively fueled what he perceives as a cultural crisis surrounding masculinity. He suggested this crisis has inadvertently boosted the appeal of controversial online personalities such as Andrew Tate.
Maher’s Criticism of Celebrities on Gender Roles
Maher then presented clips of male celebrities, including Will Ferrell, implying female superiority. In one segment, Ferrell jokingly inquired, “Isn’t it just time for women to run the planet?”
Maher rebuked Ferrell, noting that female leaders throughout history, such as Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, and even Hillary Clinton, have demonstrated similar levels of “violence” and “toughness” as their male counterparts. It’s noteworthy that Maher omitted that Ferrell made the statement at an event honoring Kerry Washington, intended only as a setup for a comedic remark regarding the Scandal star’s potential presidential candidacy.
“And I understand that this is a rectification for centuries of women being considered the weaker sex,” Maher continued. “But how long should this adjustment last? And when will men cease making me nauseous with their negative pandering?”
The Allure of Controversial Figures like Andrew Tate
“This historically ignorant and awkward pandering is precisely why teenage boys are drawn to figures like Andrew Tate,” he argued. “Yes, he’s a huge jerk,” Maher conceded, while also acknowledging Tate’s criminal history and widespread influence. “And your son thinks he’s cool because those are the role models offered to the average American teenage boy—either performative subservience or the ‘man-osphere.’ Can’t the pendulum ever find a middle ground in this country?”
Maher’s Concluding Remarks and Hiatus Announcement
He concluded his passionate address with a plea for increased respect for fathers: “I’m simply saying, men aren’t entirely useless. So, if you’re thinking about what to get dad for the next Father’s Day, how about a little respect?”
- Calls for respect towards fathers.
- Critiques media portrayal of men.
However, those seeking further commentary from Maher will need to be patient, as Real Time is currently on break for the duration of July.